Airport rail link hits technical problems
22.07.09
Fears have been raised that the Glasgow Airport Rail Link could be scrapped, the Evening News reports. Ministers are in talks with engineering experts and the airport to see if the £400m project is still deliverable after complicated engineering work caused a delay choosing a contractor.
Work to carry the new train line across the M8 and into the airport will not take place until transport bosses are certain that infrastructure at the airport can be moved out of the way. Tendering for the new tracks and bridges has been postponed until the work, which is thought to involve moving fuel tanks at the airport, has been deemed possible and cost-effective.
A Scottish Government spokesman told the Evening News: ‘We are having discussions to see if we can go ahead with the project as planned.’ A Transport Scotland spokesman added: ‘The tender for the branch line construction for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has not been launched, pending the resolution of outstanding issues on the works within the airport.'
However, Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister, was more hopeful. He told the newspaper: ‘We are committed to the delivery of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, and any reports to the contrary are inaccurate. The tender for the Branch Line construction has not yet been launched, pending the resolution of outstanding issues on the reprovision works within the airport. Transport Scotland is in discussion with BAA to ensure the complicated work in the airport area is fully defined to allow delivery of the branch line in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.’
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book a glasgow airport hotel or glasgow airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great glasgow airport hotel and glasgow airport car parking price comparison pages.
